Simultaneous sharing communication interface

ABSTRACT

A user can share (show) multimedia information while simultaneously communicating (telling) with one or more other users over a network. Multimedia information is received from at least one source. The multimedia information may be manually and/or automatically annotated and shared with other users. The multimedia information may be displayed in an integrated live view simultaneously with other modes of communication, such as video, voice, or text. A simultaneous sharing communication interface provides an immersive experience that lets a user communicate via text, voice, video, sounds, music, or the like, with one or more other users while also simultaneously sharing media such as photos, videos, movies, images, graphics, illustrations, animations, presentations, narratives, music, sounds, applications, files, and the like. The simultaneous sharing interface enables a user to experience a higher level of intimacy in their communication with others over a network.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This utility patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/883,760, filed on Jan. 5, 2007, entitled “Show And Tell Communication Interface,” the benefit of which is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119, and is further incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to communications and, more particularly, but not exclusively to enabling a user to simultaneously share multimedia information, while communicating with one or more other users.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sharing of multimedia information has become prevalent on computing devices and has changed our everyday lives. Mobile devices, such as digital cameras, video recorders, PDAs, and cell-phones, increasingly, have become enabled with wireless data connectivity. Users are able to send and receive multimedia information from these mobile devices more readily. However, users cannot easily identify relevant sources of, and recipients for their multimedia information.

Tremendous changes have also been occurring in the Internet that influence our everyday lives. For example, online social networks have become the new meeting grounds. They have been called the new power lunch tables and new golf courses for business life in the U.S. Moreover, many people are using such online social networks to reconnect themselves to their friends, their neighborhood, their community, and the world.

The development of such online social networks touch countless aspects of our everyday lives, providing instant access to people of similar mindsets, and enabling us to form partnerships with more people in more ways than ever before.

One aspect of our everyday lives that may benefit from multimedia information sharing is improved communication between people in remote locations. In particular, users would like to feel a sense of intimacy or immediacy in their multimedia online communication. Therefore, it is with respect to these considerations and others that the present invention has been made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will be made to the following Detailed Description, which is to be read in association with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of one embodiment of an environment in which the invention may be practiced;

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a mobile device that may be included in a system implementing the invention;

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a network device that may be included in a system implementing the invention;

FIGS. 4-14 illustrate screenshots of the novel features for managing a multimedia communication; and

FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment for a flow diagram of a process managing a multimedia communication, in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Among other things, the present invention may be embodied as methods or devices. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. Furthermore, the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments of the invention may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

In addition, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”

As used herein, the terms “social network” and “social community” refer to a concept that an individual's personal network of friends, family colleagues, coworkers, and the subsequent connections within those networks, can be utilized to find more relevant connections for a variety of activities, including, but not limited to dating, job networking, service referrals, content sharing, like-minded individuals, activity partners, or the like.

An online social network typically comprises a person's set of direct and/or indirect personal relationships, including real and virtual privileges and permissions that users may associate with these people. Direct personal relationships usually include relationships with people the user can communicated with directly, including family members, friends, colleagues, coworkers, and other people with which the person has had some form of direct contact, such as contact in person, by telephone, by email, by instant message, by letter, or the like. These direct personal relationships are sometimes referred to as first-degree relationships. First-degree relationships can have varying degrees of closeness, trust, and other characteristics.

Indirect personal relationships typically include relationships through first-degree relationships to people with whom a person has not had some form of direct or limited direct contact, such as in being cc'd on an e-mail message, or the like. For example, a friend of a friend represents an indirect personal relationship. A more extended, indirect relationship might be a friend of a friend of a friend. These indirect relationships are sometimes characterized by a degree of separation between the people. For instance, a friend of a friend can be characterized as two degrees of separation or a second-degree relationship. Similarly, a friend of a friend of a friend can be characterized as three degrees of separation or a third-degree relationship.

As used herein, “live” or a “live view” refers to providing of real-time or approximately real-time data. It is recognized that due to a variety of reasons, transfer of data over a network may be delayed by some varying amount of time. The delay may vary based on conditions of the network, configurations of the network, configuration of the sending and/or receiving device, or the like. Thus, live or a live view may range between real-time data transfers to some varying amount of time delay.

Moreover, the term “social networking information,” refers to both dynamic as well as less dynamic characteristics of a social network. Social networking information includes various profile information about a member, including, but not limited to the member's avatar, contact information, the member's preferences, degrees of separation between the member and another member, a membership in an activity, group, or the like, or the like.

Social networking information further may include various information about communications between the member and other members in the social network, including, but not limited to emails, SMS messages, IM messages, Multimedia Message (MMS) messages, alerts, audio messages, phone calls, either received or sent by the member, or the like.

Various “meta-data” may also be associated with the social networking information. Thus, for example, various permissions for access may be associated with at least some of the social networking information. Some access permissions (or sharing rules) may be selected, for example, based, in part, on an input by the member, while other access permissions may be defaulted based on other events, constraints, or the like.

The term “multimedia information” as used herein refers to information comprising visual and/or audio information. Multimedia information may include images, video, movies, presentations, animations, illustrations, narratives, music, sound effects, voice, or the like. As used herein, the term “annotation” refers to marking and/or modifying information with another information.

As used herein, the term “retrieving” refers to the process of sending a request for information, and receiving the information. The request may include a search query, an identifier for the information, or the like. As used herein, the term “searching” refers to providing a query based on at least one criteria. The criteria may include a search term, a name, a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), a date/timestamp, a part or combination thereof, or the like. As used herein, the term “sharing” refers to sending information between one user and at least one other user.

Briefly stated the present invention is directed towards enabling a user to share multimedia information while simultaneously communicating (telling) with one or more other users. Multimedia information is received from at least one source. The multimedia information may be manually and/or automatically annotated and shared with other users. The multimedia information may be displayed in an integrated live view simultaneously with other modes of communication, such as video, voice, music, sounds, or text. In one embodiment, a simultaneous sharing communication interface provides an immersive experience that lets a user communicate via text, voice, video, sounds, music, or the like, with one or more other users while also simultaneously sharing media such as photos, videos, movies, images, graphics, illustrations, animations, presentations, narratives, music, sounds, applications, files, and the like. The simultaneous sharing interface enables a user to experience a higher level of intimacy in their communication with others over a network.

Illustrative Operating Environment

FIG. 1 shows components of one embodiment of an environment in which the invention may be practiced. Not all the components may be required to practice the invention, and variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. As shown, system 100 of FIG. 1 includes local area networks (“LANs”)/wide area networks (“WANs”)-(network) 105, wireless network 110, Multimedia Sharing Service (MSS) 106, mobile devices (client devices) 102-104, client device 101, and information services 107.

One embodiment of mobile devices 102-103 is described in more detail below in conjunction with FIG. 2. Generally, however, mobile devices 102-104 may include virtually any portable computing device capable of receiving and sending a message over a network, such as network 105, wireless network 110, or the like. Mobile devices 102-104 may also be described generally as client devices that are configured to be portable. Thus, mobile devices 102-104 may include virtually any portable computing device capable of connecting to another computing device and receiving information. Such devices include portable devices such as, cellular telephones, smart phones, display pagers, radio frequency (RF) devices, infrared (IR) devices, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, laptop computers, wearable computers, tablet computers, integrated devices combining one or more of the preceding devices, and the like. As such, mobile devices 102-104 typically range widely in terms of capabilities and features. For example, a cell phone may have a numeric keypad and a few lines of monochrome LCD display on which only text may be displayed. In another example, a web-enabled mobile device may have a touch sensitive screen, a stylus, and several lines of color LCD display in which both text and graphics may be displayed.

A web-enabled mobile device may include a browser application that is configured to receive and to send web pages, web-based messages, and the like. The browser application may be configured to receive and display graphics, text, multimedia, and the like, employing virtually any web based language, including a wireless application protocol messages (WAP), and the like. In one embodiment, the browser application is enabled to employ Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML), Wireless Markup Language (WML), WMLScript, JavaScript, Standard Generalized Markup Language (SMGL), HyperText Markup Language (HTML), eXtensible Markup Language (XML), and the like, to display and send a message.

Mobile devices 102-104 also may include at least one other client application that is configured to receive content from another computing device. The client application may include a capability to provide and receive textual content, multimedia information, and the like. The client application may further provide information that identifies itself, including a type, capability, name, and the like. In one embodiment, mobile devices 102-104 may uniquely identify themselves through any of a variety of mechanisms, including a phone number, Mobile Identification Number (MIN), an electronic serial number (ESN), or other mobile device identifier. The information may also indicate a content format that the mobile device is enabled to employ. Such information may be provided in a message, or the like, sent to MSS 106, client device 101, or other computing devices.

Mobile devices 102-104 may also be configured to communicate a message, such as through Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS), instant messaging (IM), internet relay chat (IRC), Mardam-Bey's IRC (mIRC), Jabber, and the like, between another computing device, such as MSS 106, client device 101, or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to these message protocols, and virtually any other message protocol may be employed.

Mobile devices 102-104 may be further configured to enable a user to participate in communications sessions, such as IM sessions. As such, mobile devices 102-104 may include a client application that is configured to manage various actions on behalf of the client device. For example, the client application may enable a user to interact with the browser application, email application, IM applications, SMS application, and the like.

Mobile devices 102-104 may further be configured to include a client application that enables the end-user to log into an end-user account that may be managed by another computing device, such as MSS 106. Such end-user account, for example, may be configured to enable the end-user to receive emails, send/receive IM messages, SMS messages, access selected web pages, participate in a social networking activity, or the like. However, participation in various social networking activities may also be performed without logging into the end-user account.

In addition, mobile devices 102-104 may include another application that is configured to enable the mobile user to share and/or receive multimedia information, and to display integrated live views for providing the multimedia information. In one embodiment, each of mobile devices 102-104 may share with and/or receive the multimedia information from MSS 106 and/or from another one of mobile devices 102-104. In conjunction with sharing multimedia information, mobile devices 102-104 may enable an interaction with each other, through sharing various messages, and generally participating in a variety of integrated social experiences beyond merely voice communications or text messages (e.g., IM). In one embodiment, mobile devices 102-104 may enable the interaction with a user associated with received multimedia information. For example, a user of one of mobile devices 102-104 may send a comment on the multimedia information to another user of another one of mobile devices 102-104.

Mobile devices 102-104 may also communicate with non-mobile client devices, such as client device 101, or the like. In one embodiment, such communications may include participation in social networking activities, including sharing of multimedia information.

Client device 101 may include virtually any computing device capable of communicating over a network to send and receive information, including social networking information, or the like. The set of such devices may include devices that typically connect using a wired or wireless communications medium such as personal computers, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, or the like.

In one embodiment, client devices 101-104 may be configured to enable a communication between users over network 105. Client devices 101-104 may be configured to receive or otherwise retrieve multimedia information from, for example, a file system, a data store, MSS 106, information services 107 (e.g., via a HTTP/HTTPS/FTP and using a URL) or the like. Devices 101-104 may be further configured to annotate the multimedia information, and/or share the multimedia information simultaneous with sending a communication between the users, or the like.

Wireless network 110 is configured to couple mobile devices 102-104 and its components with network 105. Wireless network 110 may include any of a variety of wireless sub-networks that may further overlay stand-alone ad-hoc networks, and the like, to provide an infrastructure-oriented connection for mobile devices 102-104. Such sub-networks may include mesh networks, Wireless LAN (WLAN) networks, cellular networks, and the like.

Wireless network 110 may further include an autonomous system of terminals, gateways, routers, and the like connected by wireless radio links, and the like. These connectors may be configured to move freely and randomly and organize themselves arbitrarily, such that the topology of wireless network 110 may change rapidly.

Wireless network 110 may further employ a plurality of access technologies including 2nd (2G), 3rd (3G) generation radio access for cellular systems, WLAN, Wireless Router (WR) mesh, and the like. Access technologies such as 2G, 3G, and future access networks may enable wide area coverage for mobile devices, such as mobile devices 102-104 with various degrees of mobility. For example, wireless network 110 may enable a radio connection through a radio network access such as Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), and the like. In essence, wireless network 110 may include virtually any wireless communication mechanism by which information may travel between mobile device s 102-104 and another computing device, network, and the like.

Network 105 is configured to couple MSS 106 and its components with other computing devices, including, mobile devices 102-104, client device 101, and through wireless network 110 to mobile devices 102-104. Network 105 is enabled to employ any form of computer readable media for communicating information from one electronic device to another. Also, network 105 can include the Internet in addition to local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), direct connections, such as through a universal serial bus (USB) port, other forms of computer-readable media, or any combination thereof. On an interconnected set of LANs, including those based on differing architectures and protocols, a router acts as a link between LANs, enabling messages to be sent from one to another. Also, communication links within LANs typically include twisted wire pair or coaxial cable, while communication links between networks may utilize analog telephone lines, full or fractional dedicated digital lines including T1, T2, T3, and T4, Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDNs), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs), wireless links including satellite links, or other communications links known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, remote computers and other related electronic devices could be remotely connected to either LANs or WANs via a modem and temporary telephone link. In essence, network 105 includes any communication method by which information may travel between MSS 106, client device 101, and other computing devices.

Additionally, communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave, data signal, or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The terms “modulated data signal,” and “carrier-wave signal” includes a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information, instructions, data, and the like, in the signal. By way of example, communication media includes wired media such as twisted pair, coaxial cable, fiber optics, wave guides, and other wired media and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media.

One embodiment of MSS 106 is described in more detail below in conjunction with FIG. 3. Briefly, however, MSS 106 may include any computing device capable of connecting to network 105 to enable sharing of multimedia information based on user information and other social networking information. MSS 106 may receive from various participants in a social network, multimedia information, and social networking information, including information associated with activities, moods, events, messages, user information, communications, or the like. MSS 106 may also receive social networking information from a variety of other sources including, for example, information services 107. MSS 106 may store at least some of the received multimedia and/or social networking information for use by one or more social networking members. MSS 106 may also enable sharing and/or sending the multimedia information to another network device, including one of client devices 101-104 based on user information and/or other social networking information.

Devices that may operate as MSS 106 include personal computers desktop computers, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, servers, and the like.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates MSS 106 as a single computing device, the invention is not so limited. For example, one or more functions of MSS 106 may be distributed across one or more distinct computing devices. For example, managing various social networking activities, including sharing of multimedia information, managing Instant Messaging (IM) session, SMS messages, email messages, sharing of contact information, aggregating and/or storing of social networking information, or the like, may be performed by a plurality of computing devices, without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

Information services 107 represents a variety of service devices that may provide additional information for use in generating live views on mobile devices 102-104. Such services include, but are not limited to web services, third-party services, audio services, video services, multimedia services, email services, IM services, SMS services, Video Conferencing Services, VOIP services, calendaring services, multimedia information sharing services, or the like. Devices that may operate as information services 107 include personal computers desktop computers, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, servers, mobile devices, and the like.

Illustrative Mobile Client Environment

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of mobile device 200 that may be included in a system implementing the invention. Mobile device 200 may include many more or less components than those shown in FIG. 2. However, the components shown are sufficient to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing the present invention. Mobile device 200 may represent, for example, mobile devices 102-104 of FIG. 1.

As shown in the figure, mobile device 200 includes a processing unit (CPU) 222 in communication with a mass memory 230 via a bus 224. Mobile device 200 also includes a power supply 226, one or more network interfaces 250, an audio interface 252, video interface 259, a display 254, a keypad 256, an illuminator 258, an input/output interface 260, a haptic interface 262, and an optional global positioning systems (GPS) receiver 264. Power supply 226 provides power to mobile device 200. A rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery may be used to provide power. The power may also be provided by an external power source, such as an AC adapter or a powered docking cradle that supplements and/or recharges a battery.

Mobile device 200 may optionally communicate with a base station (not shown), or directly with another computing device. Network interface 250 includes circuitry for coupling mobile device 200 to one or more networks, and is constructed for use with one or more communication protocols and technologies including, but not limited to, global system for mobile communication (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), user datagram protocol (UDP), transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), SMS, general packet radio service (GPRS), WAP, ultra wide band (UWB), IEEE 802.16 Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), SIP/RTP, or any of a variety of other wireless communication protocols. Network interface 250 is sometimes known as a transceiver, transceiving device, or network interface card (NIC).

Audio interface 252 is arranged to produce and receive audio signals such as the sound of a human voice. For example, audio interface 252 may be coupled to a speaker and microphone (not shown) to enable telecommunication with others and/or generate an audio acknowledgement for some action. Display 254 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), gas plasma, light emitting diode (LED), or any other type of display used with a computing device. Display 254 may also include a touch sensitive screen arranged to receive input from an object such as a stylus or a digit from a human hand.

Video interface 259 is arranged to capture video images, such as a still photo, a video segment, an infrared video, or the like. For example, video interface 259 may be coupled to a digital video camera, a web-camera, or the like. Video interface 259 may comprise a lens, an image sensor, and other electronics. Image sensors may include a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuit, charge-coupled device (CCD), or any other integrated circuit for sensing light.

Keypad 256 may comprise any input device arranged to receive input from a user. For example, keypad 256 may include a push button numeric dial, or a keyboard. Keypad 256 may also include command buttons that are associated with selecting and sending images. Illuminator 258 may provide a status indication and/or provide light. Illuminator 258 may remain active for specific periods of time or in response to events. For example, when illuminator 258 is active, it may backlight the buttons on keypad 256 and stay on while the client device is powered. Also, illuminator 258 may backlight these buttons in various patterns when particular actions are performed, such as dialing another client device. Illuminator 258 may also cause light sources positioned within a transparent or translucent case of the client device to illuminate in response to actions.

Mobile device 200 also comprises input/output interface 260 for communicating with external devices, such as a headset, or other input or output devices not shown in FIG. 2. Input/output interface 260 can utilize one or more communication technologies, such as USB, infrared, Bluetooth™, or the like. Haptic interface 262 is arranged to provide tactile feedback to a user of the client device. For example, the haptic interface may be employed to vibrate mobile device 200 in a particular way when another user of a computing device is calling.

Optional GPS transceiver 264 can determine the physical coordinates of mobile device 200 on the surface of the Earth, which typically outputs a location as latitude and longitude values. GPS transceiver 264 can also employ other geo-positioning mechanisms, including, but not limited to, triangulation, assisted GPS (AGPS), E-OTD, CI, SAI, ETA, BSS or the like, to further determine the physical location of mobile device 200 on the surface of the Earth. It is understood that under different conditions, GPS transceiver 264 can determine a physical location within millimeters for mobile device 200; and in other cases, the determined physical location may be less precise, such as within a meter or significantly greater distances. In one embodiment, however, mobile device may through other components, provide other information that may be employed to determine a physical location of the device, including for example, a MAC address, IP address, or the like.

Mass memory 230 includes a RAM 232, a ROM 234, and other storage means. Mass memory 230 illustrates another example of computer storage media for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Mass memory 230 stores a basic input/output system (“BIOS”) 240 for controlling low-level operation of mobile device 200. The mass memory also stores an operating system 241 for controlling the operation of mobile device 200. It will be appreciated that this component may include a general purpose operating system such as a version of UNIX, or LINUX™, or a specialized client communication operating system such as Windows Mobile™, or the Symbian® operating system. The operating system may include, or interface with a Java virtual machine module that enables control of hardware components and/or operating system operations via Java application programs.

Memory 230 further includes one or more data storage 244, which can be utilized by mobile device 200 to store, among other things, applications 242 and/or other data. For example, data storage 244 may also be employed to store information that describes various capabilities of mobile device 200. The information may then be provided to another device based on any of a variety of events, including being sent as part of a header during a communication, sent upon request, or the like. Moreover, data storage 244 may also be employed to store multimedia information and/or social networking information including user information, or the like. At least a portion of the multimedia information and/or social networking information may also be stored on a disk drive or other storage medium (not shown) within mobile device 200.

Applications 242 may include computer executable instructions which, when executed by mobile device 200, transmit, receive, and/or otherwise process messages (e.g., SMS, MMS, IM, email, and/or other messages), multimedia information, and enable telecommunication with another user of another client device. Other examples of application programs include calendars, browsers, email clients, IM applications, SMS applications, Video Conferencing applications, VOIP applications, contact managers, task managers, transcoders, database programs, word processing programs, security applications, spreadsheet programs, games, search programs, and so forth. Applications 242 may further include multimedia sharing manager (MSM) 245, and communication application 243.

Communication application 243 includes any component for managing communication over network interface 250. Communication application 243 may be configured to transmit, receive, and/or otherwise process messages (e.g., Video Conferencing messages, VOIP, SMS, MMS, IM, email, and/or other messages), store such messages, translate between one type of message and another, or the like. Communication application 243 may provide a user interface, such as a conversation screen, video display, or the like.

MSM 245 includes any component configured to manage sharing of multimedia information over network interface 260. MSM 245 may display a window (e.g., a simultaneous sharing window/live view) on display 254, for example. MSM 245 may receive or otherwise retrieve the multimedia information and/or thumbnails for the multimedia information from a variety of applications in applications 242, from a third-party server over network interface 260, from a file/URL on a remote website, on a local file system, on data storage 244, or the like. MSM 245 may display the received/retrieved information in the window. MSM 245 may enable a communication between users over network interface 260. For example, the user of mobile device 200 may use a conversation window within the window to send a message over network interface 260. Simultaneous with sending the message, multimedia information stored, for example, in data storage 244, may be sent over network interface 260 to another user participating in the communication. Operations of MSM 245 may be performed by operations 4-14 of FIGS. 4-14 and/or process 1500 of FIG. 15.

Illustrative Server Environment

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a network device, according to one embodiment of the invention. Network device 300 may include many more components than those shown. The components shown, however, are sufficient to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing the invention. Network device 300 may represent, for example, MSS 106 of FIG. 1.

Network device 300 includes processing unit 312, video display adapter 314, and a mass memory, all in communication with each other via bus 322. The mass memory generally includes RAM 316, ROM 332, and one or more permanent mass storage devices, such as hard disk drive 328, tape drive, optical drive, and/or floppy disk drive. The mass memory stores operating system 320 for controlling the operation of network device 300. Any general-purpose operating system may be employed. Basic input/output system (“BIOS”) 318 is also provided for controlling the low-level operation of network device 300. As illustrated in FIG. 3, network device 300 also can communicate with the Internet, or some other communications network, via network interface unit 310, which is constructed for use with various communication protocols including the TCP/IP protocol. Network interface unit 310 is sometimes known as a transceiver, transceiving device, or network interface card (NIC).

The mass memory as described above illustrates another type of computer-readable media, namely computer storage media. Computer storage media may include volatile, nonvolatile, removable, and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Examples of computer storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by a computing device.

The mass memory also stores program code and data. One or more applications 350 are loaded into mass memory and run on operating system 320. Examples of application programs may include transcoders, schedulers, calendars, database programs, word processing programs, HTTP programs, customizable user interface programs, IPSec applications, encryption programs, security programs, VPN programs, SMS message servers, Video Conferencing servers, IM message servers, email servers, account management and so forth. Communication application 354 and/or Multimedia Information manager (MIM) 355 may also be included as application programs within applications 350.

Communication application 354 includes any component for managing communication over network interface 310, between a plurality of clients. Communication application 354 may be configured to forward, transmit, receive, and/or otherwise process messages (e.g., Video Conferencing messages, VOIP, SMS, MMS, IM, email, and/or other messages), store such messages, translate between one type of message and another, or the like. Communication application 354 may provide a communication interface, such as a web interface (HTTP/HTML), and XML interface, or the like. Such communication interface may be integrated into, for example, a simultaneous sharing window as described in conjunction with FIGS. 4-14.

MIM 355 includes any component configured to manage multimedia information over network interface 310. MIM 355 may receive a request for a communication between users, using for example, communication applications 354. In one embodiment, communication applications 354 may initiate a communication session between the users, including a Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS), instant messaging (IM), internet relay chat (IRC), Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) session, or the like.

In one embodiment, MIM 355 may receive shared multimedia information or a shared identifier associated with the shared multimedia information over network interface 310. MIM 355 may use Multimedia Information Store (MIS) 352 to manage the shared multimedia information/identifier. In one embodiment, MIS 352 may provide the multimedia information associated with the shared identifier. In one embodiment, MIS 352 may store the shared multimedia information for later processing. MIM 355 may also forward a shared multimedia information between users over network interface 310. In one embodiment, the forwarding of the multimedia information may be simultaneous with forwarding a message within the communication session.

In one embodiment, MIS 352 may store a plurality of received multimedia information. In one embodiment, MIS 352 may be a database, a file structure, or the like. MIS 352 may store the multimedia information into a category structure, such as folders, albums, graphs, trees, or the like. In one embodiment, MIS 352 may search for multimedia information based on a query (e.g., received from MIM 355, over network interface 310, or the like). In one embodiment, based on the query, MIS 352 may provide the searched multimedia information (e.g., over network interface 310).

Illustrative Use Operations

The operation of certain aspects of the invention will now be described with respect to FIGS. 4-14. FIGS. 4-14 provide examples of certain operations to further illustrate the invention. While the discussion below in conjunction with FIGS. 4-14 relate to photo sharing, any type of multimedia sharing may be similarly enabled without departing from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a voice call with the simultaneous sharing communication interface 402 on the desktop provided by an operating system of a computing device. The desktop is shown with a conversation window 406 that shows two users simultaneously communicating via text messages and voice. Chat history 404 includes recent text messages communicated between users. Although not shown, the conversation window may also include a live video chat window.

FIG. 5 illustrates a user clicking on a “share” tab 502 in the simultaneous sharing communication interface 402 on the desktop provided by an operating system of a computing device. The desktop is shown with a conversation window 406 that shows two users simultaneously communicating via text messages and voice.

FIG. 6 illustrates a dialog box asking the user what to share. The user has selected “Share Photos” button 602 from the choice menu. Although only four options to choose are shown, in other embodiments, substantially more or less options may be presented in one or more views.

FIG. 7 illustrates a photo sharing window prior 702 to the loading of photos for sharing. As shown, the photo choice 704 is selected, and voice calling and text messaging is ongoing. The user is waiting for photos to be dragged or populated in the window so that one or more can be selected for sharing with the other user. Options 708 such as “search your photos” and “find file” are provided for a user to dialog box asking the user what to share. These options may enable searching based on a user provided criteria, searching over a network (e.g., using a search engine), or the like.

FIG. 8 illustrates the most recent photos 802 that are available for sharing in the window. It is understood that the photos may be provided from one or more sources, including other entities, properties, and third parties (e.g., the website Flickr). As shown, a selected photo may be dragged-and-dropped into sharing strip 702.

FIG. 9 illustrates the most recent photos 902 that are located on a local personal computer that are available for sharing in the window. Other photos 802 from a third-party source may also be displayed in addition to (e.g., side-by-side with) photos from the local personal computer. It is understood that the photos may be provided from one or more applications on the personal computer. Also, a search facility can be employed to filter results based on size, timestamp, and the like.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the user dragging and dropping photos into a sharing strip 702 in the lower section of the window. For example, thumbnail 1002 is dragged into the sharing strip 702. Thumbnail 1102 is also dragged into sharing strip 702 and ordered higher than thumbnail 1002.

FIG. 12 illustrates the user done with choosing photos for the initial set of photos to share, i.e., dragging and dropping photos into a sharing strip in the lower section of the window. In one embodiment, the user may press done button 1202 to indicate that the photos associated with the thumbnail in the sharing strip 702 is to be shared. In another embodiment, sharing may occur as a thumbnail is dragged-and-dropped into the sharing strip 702.

FIG. 13 illustrates the photo sharing window 702 being shared with the other users that are in simultaneous communication by both text and voice. Each user can see the previously selected photos in the sharing strip 702, and can add more photos to the share in the sharing strip 702. As shown, the selected thumbnail for the photo from sharing strip 702 is displayed in high(er) resolution image 1302. In one embodiment, high(er) resolution image 1302 may be displayed on each of the users' display at the same time. Although not shown, instead of or in addition to providing higher resolution image 1302, other multimedia information may be provided to each of the users (e.g., to network devices associated with the user). For example, music or video may be provided. In another embodiment, each of the users may select a different thumbnail to provide different multimedia information to each of the users. In other embodiments not shown, one or more videos can be also shared in the sharing strip 702 while video, voice, and/or text communication is simultaneously occurring between the users.

FIG. 14 illustrates full screen photo sharing window 702 being shared with the other users that are in simultaneous communication by both text and voice. Each user can still see the previously selected photos in the sharing strip 702, and can add more photos to the share in the sharing strip 702. In other embodiments not shown, one or more videos can be also shared in the sharing strip 702 while video, voice, and/or text communication is simultaneously occurring between the users.

Generalized Operation

The operation of certain aspects of the invention will now be described with respect to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 illustrates a logical flow diagram generally showing one embodiment of a process for managing a multimedia communication. Process 1500 of FIG. 15 might be implemented, for example, within MSS 106 of FIG. 1.

Process 1500 begins, after a start block, at block 1502, where a communication between users is enabled. In one embodiment, the users belong to a same social network. In one embodiment, the communication may be enabled if a user and another user are a degree of separation from each other (e.g., at least two degrees of separation from each other in a same social network). The communication may include a voice communication, a text communication, a video communication, or the like. In one embodiment, the communication may be enabled over a plurality of channels. The channels may include at least one of Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS), instant messaging (IM), internet relay chat (IRC), Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP), or the like. Processing next continues to block 1504.

At block 1504, multimedia information is received. In one embodiment, receiving the multimedia information may comprise retrieving, searching, filtering, or otherwise processing the multimedia information, based on, for example, attributes of a file associated with the multimedia information. The attributes may include the file name, size, date modified, a rating, or the like. In one embodiment, the multimedia information may be retrieved or otherwise received from at least one source. For example, the multimedia information may be received from a network device over a network, from a directory on the computing device, from a plurality of applications of different types, or the like. In one embodiment, the multimedia information may be retrieved from a user's desktop, using an operating system interface (e.g., using an SQL query, an search engine interface, information retrieval interface, a Windows Vista™ indexing service, a Windows XP™ indexing service, or the like). In one embodiment, the following search query may be sent to the operating system to search for files (e.g., for attributes and/or tags associated with the files) on a desktop, a file system, within a plurality of directories in a file system, at least one remote website, or the like:

SELECT TOP NUM_RESULT \“System.FileName\”, \“System.Size\”, \“System.DateModified\”, \“System.ItemUrl\”, \“System.FileExtension\”, \“System.MIMEType\”, \“System.ThumbnailCacheID\”, \“System.Keywords\”, \“System.Image.HorizontalSize\”, \“System.Image.VerticalSize\” FROM SYSTEMINDEX..SCOPE( ) WHERE \“System.MIMEType\” LIKE ‘image/%’ AND \“System.Size\” > 102400 AND \“System.FileName\” LIKE ‘%SEARCH_STRING%’ ORDER BY \“System.DateModified\” DESC”

As shown, the search may be based on a plurality of attributes of files associated with the multimedia information. In one embodiment, SEARCH_STRING may be a search term (or may be empty and optional). In one embodiment, the search terms may be a specified term. For example, the terms may be entered by the user in the live view, may be terms recently searched by the user, a member of the social network, a member of the social network a degree of separation from the user, an aggregate of popular terms searched for in the social network, or the like. NUM_RESULT may be the number of results predefined by a threshold, by the user, capable of being displayed in a window (e.g., a simultaneous sharing window). However, the invention is not constrained to this example, and other formats, commands, search terms, and the like may also be employed.

In another embodiment, the multimedia information may be retrieved from a third-party source (e.g., the website Flickr, a search engine, or the like). In one embodiment, a search term(s) may be sent to the third-party source, and a result list including at least one URL for a file associated with the multimedia information may be returned. In another embodiment, the third-party source may provide an API to retrieve the multimedia information. For example, a token for the user may be received from the third-party. Using the token, a search may be initiated on the third party for photos associated with a user (e.g., the user, the social network, users a degree of separation from the user, or the like). A result set may be provided by the third-party. In one embodiment, a list of photos, names and/or tags associated with the photos, a list of URLs to thumbnails of the photos, or the like may be provided. The result set may be filtered based on a search term, date, or the like. If the search term is empty then all multimedia information in the result set are selected for further processing. In one embodiment, the search term may be used to filter search result sets from at least two of the plurality of sources of multimedia information. Processing next continues to block 1506.

At block 1506, optionally, multimedia information may be annotated. Annotation may comprise associating other information such as an identifier, text, or the like, with the multimedia information. The other information may include a time/date, name, GPS position, tag, comment, rating or the like. The multimedia information may be annotated by the user and/or done automatically. For example, the user may annotate with a name for a selected photo/multimedia information. In another example, a device may automatically annotate with a time of day/week/month and/or GPS position. As shown, block 1506 may be optional and may not be performed. Processing next continues to block 1508.

At block 1508, the multimedia information is displayed in a live view. In one embodiment, prior to displaying in the live view, the multimedia information may be filtered based on at least one of a size, a timestamp of the multimedia information, or the like. The multimedia information may be ordered or grouped by the source of the multimedia information. The multimedia information may also be sorted by the timestamp. Processing next continues to decision block 1510.

At decision block 1510, it is determined if multimedia information has been inserted into a sharing strip. In one embodiment, placing may comprise appending or concatenating the multimedia information to the shared strip, inserting the multimedia information in between other multimedia information in the shared strip, or the like. In one embodiment, inserting may comprise detecting a drag-and-drop of the multimedia information into the sharing strip. If the multimedia information has been inserted into the sharing strip, processing continues to block 1512. Otherwise, processing loops back to decision block 1510 to wait for the multimedia information to be inserted.

At block 1512, the multimedia information is displayed in the sharing strip. In one embodiment, a thumbnail associated with the multimedia information is displayed. The sharing strip may include a plurality of thumbnails, with each thumbnail associated with a different multimedia information. The sharing strip may enable ordering/re-ordering of the plurality of thumbnails. In one embodiment, the multimedia information/thumbnail may be ordered based on, for example, the time at which the multimedia information was selected to be inserted into the sharing strip. Processing next continues to block 1514.

At block 1514, the multimedia information is shared simultaneously and independent of the enabled communication. In one embodiment, sharing may include sending the multimedia information between the users, sending an annotation (e.g., annotated at block 1506) associated with the multimedia information between the users, displaying the shared multimedia information in a live view, or the like. In one embodiment, simultaneously sharing may comprise sending the multimedia information associated with the selected thumbnail, if the selected thumbnail is detected as drag-and-dropped into a sharing strip. In another embodiment, simultaneously sharing may comprise sending the multimedia information associated with a selected thumbnail (e.g., in a sharing strip) while sending at least one of a Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS), instant messaging (1M), internet relay chat (IRe), Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) message, or the like. In another embodiment, a plurality of multimedia information may be sent in a send order based on an order of different selected thumbnails in the sharing strip, wherein each of the plurality of the multimedia information is associated with a different selected thumbnail in the sharing strip.

In one embodiment, at least two of the users participating in the enabled communication may each have a sharing strip displayed on different network devices. The same thumbnail associated with the multimedia information may be displayed in both sharing strips. Each of the users may add, move, or remove the thumbnails, order/re-order the thumbnails, and/or annotate the multimedia information associated with the thumbnails in their respective sharing strip. A change to one sharing strip may be sent between the different network devices.

In one embodiment, at least one of the users participating in the communication may select a selected multimedia information to be displayed or otherwise provided. For example, a user may select a thumbnail in the strip, and consequently, a video associated with the selected thumbnail may begin playing on the user's display and/or on another user's display, wherein the user and the other user is also participating in the communication. Shared play-back may also enable at least one of the users to otherwise manipulate the provided multimedia information. For example, either user may stop the video, rewind the video, speed-up the video, or the like for the user's display and/or the other user'display.

In another embodiment, an automatic playback may be enabled based on the multimedia information associated with the sharing strip. For example, a slide-show may be provided based on the thumbnails in the sharing strip in the order of the thumbnails in the sharing strip. Processing next continues to decision block 1516.

At decision block 1516, it is determined whether more multimedia information is to be shared. If more multimedia information is to be shared, then processing loops back to decision block 1510. Thereby, more multimedia information may be simultaneously shared, annotated, and displayed by a plurality of users, independent of the communication. For example, a process 1500 may be performed multiple times for more than one of the users. Otherwise, processing returns to a calling process for further processing.

It will be understood that the illustrative uses in the figures, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These program instructions may be provided to a processor to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute on the processor, create means for implementing the actions specified. The computer program instructions may be executed by a processor to cause a series of operational steps to be performed by the processor to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions, which execute on the processor to provide steps for implementing the actions specified. The computer program instructions may also cause at least some of the operational steps to be performed in parallel. Moreover, some of the steps may also be performed across more than one processor, such as might arise in a multi-processor computer system. In addition, one or more combinations of uses in the drawings may also be performed concurrently with other uses, or even in a different sequence than illustrated without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Accordingly, the illustrative uses and diagrams support combinations of means for performing the specified actions, combinations of steps for performing the specified actions and program instruction means for performing the specified actions. It will also be understood that each of the illustrated uses, and combinations of uses in the drawings, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems which perform the specified actions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is:
 1. A computing device for sharing information, comprising: a memory component for storing data and instructions; and a processing component for executing instructions that enables actions, comprising: enabling a communication between a user of the computing device and another user of another computing device; providing a sharing strip for display on the computing device and another sharing strip for display on the other computing device, wherein multimedia information placed on either sharing strip is simultaneously displayed on each computing device; receiving the multimedia information with at least one of the user's computing device and the other user's computing device; enabling the user and the other user to annotate the received multimedia information; inserting at least a portion of the multimedia information into a sequence of multimedia information that is placed on one of the sharing strips displayed on one of the computing devices, wherein the a one of the sharing strips displays at least a portion of a thumbnail associated with the inserted multimedia infomation among a plurality of other thumbnails; and simultaneously sharing, independent of the concurrent communication by the user with the other user, the sequence of multimedia information with the user and the other user on each sharing strip on each computing device, wherein the sequence and the multimedia information are configured to be concurrently editable by each of the users and wherein the edited sequence is further configured to be concurrently shared with both users, wherein simultaneously sharing further comprises: sending a plurality of multimedia information in a send order based on an order of different selected thumbnails in the sharing strip, wherein each of the plurality of the multimedia information is associated with a different selected thumbnail in the sharing strip.
 2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein receiving the multimedia information comprises: searching a file system for the multimedia information based on a search term.
 3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the multimedia information includes at least one of text, voice, video, sound, music, image, movie, presentation, animation, illustration, narrative, or sound effect information.
 4. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the communication includes a voice communication, a text communication, or a video communication.
 5. The computing device of claim 1, wherein receiving the multimedia information further comprises receiving the multimedia information from a network device over a network, from a directory on the computing device, or from a plurality of applications of different types.
 6. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the actions further comprise: displaying, to the user and the other user, the shared multimedia information in a live view of a plurality of shared multimedia information; simultaneously sharing, independent of the concurrent communication, another multimedia information by the other user with the user; and displaying the other shared multimedia information in the live view.
 7. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the user and the other user belong in a social network.
 8. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the other computing device is a mobile device.
 9. A method for sharing information over a network, comprising: enabling a communication over a plurality of channels between a user of a computing device and another user of another computing device; providing a sharing strip for display on the computing device and another sharing strip for display on the other computing device, wherein multimedia information placed on either sharing strip is simultaneously displayed on each computing device; retrieving the multimedia information from a plurality of sources with at least one of the user's computing device and the other user's computing device; enabling the user and the other user to annotate the retrieved multimedia information; inserting at least a portion of the multimedia information into a sequence of multimedia information that is placed on one of the sharing strips displayed on the computing devices, wherein the one of the sharing strips displays at least a portion of a thumbnail associated with the inserted multimedia information among a plurality of other thumbnails; simultaneously sharing, independent of the concurrent communication between the user and the other user, the multimedia information between the user and the other user over the network, wherein the shared multimedia information is displayed on each sharing strip on each computing device and wherein the multimedia information is configured to be concurrently editable by each of the users, wherein retrieving the multimedia information from the plurality of sources further comprises, filtering the multimedia information based on at least one of a size or a timestamp of the multimedia information; and ordering the multimedia information based on the timestamp of the multimedia information.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein retrieving the multimedia information from the plurality of sources further comprises: searching for a file associated the multimedia information based on an attribute of the file.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the sharing strip is configured to enable the user and the other user to append another multimedia information to the sharing strip and to further share the other multimedia information in the appended sharing strip.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: detecting a drag-and-drop of the multimedia information into the sharing strip, before simultaneously sharing.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein annotating the multimedia information further comprises enabling either user to annotate the multimedia information, wherein an annotation of the multimedia information is sharable between the users simultaneous with the communication.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of channels includes at least one of Short Message Service, Multimedia Message Service, instant messaging, internet relay chat, or Voice Over Internet Protocol.
 15. A computer system having a graphical user interface including a display, a user interface selection device, and a processor operable to perform actions comprising: displaying a window on the display, the window providing: a sharing strip for sharing multimedia information, wherein the multimedia information placed on the sharing strip is simultaneously displayed on another sharing strip provided by another window; and a conversation window for communicating between a plurality of users; displaying in the window, a plurality of first thumbnails from a first source and at least one second thumbnail from a second source; receiving a selected one of the first or second thumbnails at the sharing strip, wherein the selected thumbnail is associated with multimedia information; and simultaneously sharing through the sharing strip and the other sharing strip, independent of a concurrent communication between users within the conversation window, the selected thumbnail over the network to the users and the multimedia information are configured to be concurrently editable by each of the users, wherein simultaneously sharing further comprises: sending a plurality of multimedia information in a send order based on an order of different selected thumbnails in the sharing strip, wherein each of the plurality of the multimedia information is associated with a different selected thumbnail in the sharing strip.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein displaying in the window further comprises: searching for a file associated the multimedia information based on an attribute of the file.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein simultaneously sharing further comprises: sending the multimedia information associated with the selected thumbnail while sending at least one of a Short Message Service, Multimedia Message Service, instant messaging, internet relay chat, or Voice Over Internet Protocol message.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein simultaneously sharing further comprises: receiving a selection of a selected thumbnail in the sharing strip from at least one of the plurality of users; and providing selected multimedia information associated with the selected thumbnail to each of the plurality of users. 